On the next to last day of the general rifle season, a Corvallis man was fatally shot just east of Hamilton.

Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton reported that the accident occurred near the Hamilton Heights Road just east of Hamilton.

Holton said 51 year-old Joseph Burgess of Corvallis was identified as the victim of the accidental shooting, which occurred when a firearm was discharged inside a vehicle.

Holton said a hunting companion immediately called 9-1-1 and the hunting party drove to meet the responding deputies along with Marcus Daly Hospital emergency responders.

Burgess was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office stresses that the rules of firearms safety must never be relaxed, including never transporting a loaded weapon in a vehicle, and to control the muzzle at all times.

 

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